Messages

Kerry aren't as strong in midfield as we were in the 2006-2009 period (i.e: No Darragh), some defenders with a lot of mileage on the clock also..but Tomás O'Sé, Marc, O'Mahony for example are moving as well as ever. Enright has slotted in brilliantly lately. The forwards are going as well as they ever have...Declan O'Sullivan, Galvin, Gooch, Donaghy, O'Donoghue all on top of their game. The lazy trotted out lines such as "Kerry have played their all-Ireland" etc...are ignoring any detailed analysis of the team aswell as the fact that 9 times out of 10 Kerry raise their game in Croker come business end of the championship.

The Donegal game is going to be a very tough one and it was interesting to hear Rory Gallagher say he expects a high-scoring game..could be mind games, but both teams have been scoring decently lately...who knows. All we know for sure is that there will be a high level of intensity and hopefully a lot of good football played.

I'm really looking forward to the contrast in styles.

There's no contrast in styles, it's two very similar styles clashing. 12 men behind the ball for both teams. The one difference might be Kerry might kick the ball longer a little bit more.

It could be a classic or it could be the worst game of the year!

Well if Donegal are serious about winning Sam, they have to beat teams like Kerry. I think they can do it. Will this game be on the same bill as Cork v Kildare?

saw Donegal in ulster final. They are a serious team with some very good players. they remind me of tyrone when they emerged in 2002/3. pity Kerry to be honest. they have just seen off tyrone and wont really know what will hit them when they play Donegal.

Yeah poor ol' Kerry...it'll be men against boys shur.

Not exactly the 1/4 final draw either team wanted, but you have to beat whats put in front of you i guess. Its gonna be a bruising encounter. Think we have the game to beat them and if we move the ball quick enough our forwards can do damage...but it is going to be a battle, thats for sure.

[Tyrone GAAOne GAA Family United in Respect]

Just thought I would share this statement posted on the Tyrone GAA Facebook page.

Tyrone GAA

One GAA Family United in Respect

Long after the thousands had left Fitzgerald Stadium last Saturday evening our Tyrone team was getting ready for a bitter journey home. Around 500 Kerry people remained outside the changing area – men and women, old and young. As our people started to board their coach a ripple of applause met them. That ripple grew and grew and for long minute after long minute just went on and on and on.

When Mickey Harte appeared, a cheer of support went up. As the coach headed down through Killarney hundreds on the pavements took over where the others left off, warmly applauding Tyrone. There is no doubt that Ireland lost a lot and took a lot of wrong turns in the last few years. But if you wanted your faith in decency, respect, honour and dignity restored, then Killarney at about eight o'clock last Saturday evening was the place to be.

Inspirational. Unforgettable. Classy.

That's tremendous.

Was there to witness it. As one of the comments on FB said, restores your faith in humanity...GAA humanity! Makes the trolls and nay-sayers look right silly aswell. Met quite a few sound Tyrone heads over the weekend aswell, very knowledgeable people most of them.

A few observations.
I honestly don't know how Tomás bit his tongue when Gormley did what he did.

I thought that too. A total legend.

What did Gormley do to Tomás lads? Missed that. Also, those on the terrace side might have noticed McMenamin come over near the fence and have "words" with a Kerry supporter during the Tyrone warm-up..don't know what the hell he was at!

Disappointed with today.

Don't think Kerry are as good as they looked nor Tyrone as bad. I think Tyrone thought that Kerry were feeling the pressure coming into the game and thought they could outfox Kerry. The approach and tactics from Tyrone were totally wrong. They played pretty lethargic and no-one was making any good runs forward. Tyrone didn't show the necessary intensity needed and Kerry took hold of the match.


For once unlike the teams of the past there does not seem to be a cohesive unit, it was like a jigsaw that didn't fit. Tactics haven't worked the last few years against the better teams who keep all the men back in their half. It failed in 2009 and last year I'd be reluctant to say it did in 2010 as we did everything but win. Something new needs to be tried. I think trying big Seán at 6 perhaps could be something to try. We definitely are still missing a big presence around the middle of the field as per usual and worryingly someone to pick up the scraps. We do have decent forwards in Coney, R. O'Neill and McCurry but we need a team.

Things need to shook up and perhaps new voices such as Monroe and Canavan should be brought into the backroom team, though not sure if Canavan would settle for second fiddle.

Don't think either side covered themselves in glory and more players should have seen shown the line, Coldrick seemed to respond to the crowd alot. I'm not sure how far Kerry will go, but I'm not convinced that they'll win sam, maybe a semi...

If the likes of yourself posted more, this place would be worthy of a lot more attention, good reasoned post. I disagree with you that Kerry "aren't as good as they looked" and don't really know what you mean? We have a decent defence and midfield and a top class forward line IMO and of the 3 main contenders for the All Ireland right now, Cork, Dublin and Donegal, I don't think we have anything to fear really. We know Cork and dublin inside out, Donegal will be a new experience alright, but we have, I think, better kickers of the ball than most teams which may be crucial if we play them.

From a Kerry perspective, we're happy with the win today, but when the dust settles, everyone will realise that we've only won a qualifier and that 2 weeks time in the 1/4 final (hopefully!) will be a huge battle. Some of the players were quite exuberant (overly so, some would argue) at the end..some people have expressed "surprise" at that...but there was huge pressure on them from within AND outside the county...if they lost, a few of them would have to retire with the prospect of having the "never beat Tyrone" line thrown at them for eternity aswell as losing at home and being the first Kerry team in 17 years to be beaten in Killarney in the c/ship, so I can understand the emotion...but they will be brought back to earth with a bang this week I'm sure.

As for today's game...Kerry by far the better team I thought, could have won by more. Tyrone hadn't a stitch of a forward really apart from young McCurry who is a good prospect. Stevie O'Neill obviously wasn't near fit, Mugsy was well contained, Penrose hardly touched the ball and was taken off. Strange to see such an non-effective Tyrone forward line. Coney & Kavanagh are huge losses obviously. Galvin and Donaghy had their best game since last year at least for us..great 2nd half by Donaghy. Most of the team played well, Darran Sull, Curtin and O'Leary made good impact from the bench aswell.

Coldrick really is an appalling ref, it has to be said...I hate criticising refs as they have a thankless job, but today is a good example of all that is wrong with modern refereeing. Guaranteed you will have McEneaney, Bannon and all the referee big-wigs telling us that he had a great game though.
Firstly, this GAA unique tradition of booking 2 people whenever there is an incident is a joke. Coldrick did this at least 4 times today I think. He funked out of a lot of decisions for both sides. Curtin's reckless hit at the end was at least as bad as Mcguigan's to be fair, so why wasn't it red....there was no consistency. Can't believe an experienced guy like Brian would be so silly though. Conor Gormley, on numerous occasions went in with the knee and also likes to catch people by the throat which should be a booking, but it went unpunished. Filthy late tackle on Gooch on the stand side aswell at one stage.
Kerry got a free in the first half when O'Donoghue fell over with nobody near him really. Darran O'Sullivan got a very soft free in the second half....I could go on, and on. Maybe none of the decisions changed the game, but down the line in bigger games they could make a difference, thats the problem.

Anyway, the real championship is underway and I'm just glad we're still there. would expect Kerry, Kildare, Meath and Down to be the 4 qualifiers facing the 4 provincial winners..thats where things will really hot up.

Lastly, fair play to Mickey Harte (and a few of the Tyrone players who we might not see again)...he took his time leaving the field this evening and stopped signing autographs and posing for photographs with people, which given what he and his family have gone through is a remarkable testament to the man's humanity if nothing else. Whether he stays or goes, he has been a brilliant manager and good for Gaelic Football.

Mick O'Connell played a few games for Valentia juniors a couple of years ago...he was 69 at the time I think! Still looked fairly fit aswell.

Seriously pumped up for a qualifier for virtually the first time ever. Kerry co. board are refusing to postpone league games set for Sunday though which means we can't have a few in Killarney Sat night...if we win I won't care much though. Clare a handy draw for the winners but nobod thinking that far yet.

Has anyone called for segregation of the fans yet? 

Not happy with the Kerry game being Sunday, don't know why it can't be Saturday night..it won't be on TV anyway. Maybe the Kerry co. board asked for Sunday...

[I found it quite poor and comically myopic even before all this came out.]

Tom Humphries

Now reviewing books for the Irish Times seemingly, I assume not Children's books.

That's below the belt Dinny.

Humphries is probably the best GAA writer in the last 20 or so years...but has slipped under the radar after the shenanigans. No matter what he has alleged to have done I don't think there's any need for cheap shots like that.

Given what happened, long may the low blows rain down upon him. His journalism has been forever tainted and honestly I found it quite poor and comically myopic even before all this came out.

We don't need a judge to allow us to put two and two together; you're clutching at very tenuous straws.

I can't understand how someone would hold that view...his writing (especially on GAA) was excellent...some of the best I've read anywhere.

However, what has gone on with him and those girls (allegedly)....it sickens me to think of it. Also seems like its possible he is evading justice claiming "mental issues", which I hope does not stop a prosecution ensuing.

[Hayes was just a WUM]

Like him or loath him...Liam Hayes was good. Darragh Ó Sé's making a name for himself in the Times during the week.

Ah c'mon 5 Sams..Hayes was just a WUM...still is. See him calling Kevin McMenamon useless before the Dublin v Wexford game, then giving him MOM!
I am biased but I think Darragh's articles are very good..gives a real insight aswell, not just the usual guff.

Also forgot the Gaelic life lads, which can be a very good read to be fair..very Ulster-centric obviously, but still good.

You're just jealous because he thinks one of the greatest ever Kerry teams was average

Which team? I haven't read any of his stuff since he basically said Seamus Moynihan was rubbish a few years back. No time for him. Pity, cos his biog "Out of our skins" is one of the best books I've ever read.

Like him or loath him...Liam Hayes was good. Darragh Ó Sé's making a name for himself in the Times during the week.

Ah c'mon 5 Sams..Hayes was just a WUM...still is. See him calling Kevin McMenamon useless before the Dublin v Wexford game, then giving him MOM!
I am biased but I think Darragh's articles are very good..gives a real insight aswell, not just the usual guff.

Also forgot the Gaelic life lads, which can be a very good read to be fair..very Ulster-centric obviously, but still good.

[serious space lost with O Rourke and Paidí]

I picked up the the Sunday Times on the train yesterday, very interesting articles on it and it got me thinking about GAA journalism.

What's the best weekend newspaper to buy for GAA?

Best paper to buy on a Monday for match reviews?

Examiner?
Irish Times?

Indo is pretty poor fare I find, with serious space lost with O Rourke and Paidí Paidi couldn't write his own name let alone a column, so that can be ignored, but O'Rourke's column is always wel written and common sense IMO, never mind some stupid make-believe diary.  Really loved the Tribune when it was still on the go, well-written articles, that felt like you were getting an insiders view. 

Best journalists:
Keith Duggan
Malachy Clerkin
Enda McEvoy
Denis Walsh
Christy O Connor

Duggan is obv in the Times, but where do you find the rest of them?

Apart from the red comment above, would just add that I think the standard of GAA journalism is appalling with only Kieran Shannon and a few others rising above the muck-standard stuff you get from Breheny, Roy Curtis and a few other buffoons.
I get the Examiner on Monday as it has a really good GAA section and covers local games in Kerry/Cork aswell, but apart from that would rarely bother with most "articles".

The example someone gave above of Ray Silke is a good one..how the hell does he have a job as an "analyst"? Clueless. Eugene McGee (current chairman of the Development committee or whatever it's called) was on the radio before the Kerry v Armagh game in 2006 saying that Kerry hadn't beaten an Ulster team in the c/ship in 20 years...Martin McHugh claimed yesterday that Diarmuid Connolly is in "the top 3 forwards in the country" (also stated that Derek Savage was better than Mauric Fitz a few years back)...
Breheny was chairman of the Allstar committee that picked Canavan ahead of Brian Mcguigan in 2005, and wrote an article attempting to justify it...invalidates anything he ever says in my opinion....I could go on.
You'd wonder sometimes whether these "experts" actually watch games at all!

I'd just like to say the ignore function is class.

Carry on.

I never use it..its often amazing to remind oneself the sheer depths of idiocy humans are capable of!...I see what you mean though!

[Billy Sheahans transfer to Laois]

About time. Strange how people dont appear to be overly worked up about Billy Joe Paddens transfer to Armagh, he works in Kildare or Billy Sheahans transfer to Laois. He lives and works in Dublin. Johnston spends enough time in Kildare now and is not wanted by his own county.

Maybe its just me (or because he is fairly shit anyway) but that transfer was a complete joke..worse than the Johnson one. Sheahan barely shows his face in Emo (his alleged Club) from one year to the next I'm told.